Casing perforating gun



March 5, 1940. F. l. ALEXANDER cAslNG PERFORMING GUN Filed Sept. 13,` 1938 2- Sheets-Sheet l [n benl'ar. F rd'l. Ieand'e/r 'March 5, 1940. F. ALEXANDER A .2,192,591

cAsING PERFORMING GUN [n venan 0rd I. leacalz der.

Patented Mar. 5, i940 STATES cAsrNc rnaroaarnac GUN lFord ll. Alexander, Whittier, Calif., assigner of one-half to Henry S. Richmond, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application September 13, 1938, Serial No. 229,677

17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to perforating guns for well casing, and more particularly to electric firing systems for such guns.

Casing perforating guns are now well known,

5 and the various types will require no particular description herein, beyond mention of the fact that they have all, insofar as I am aware, employed an electric firing system including an elec- M tric cable extending from the lowered gun to a control switch and source of electrical energy located at the ground surface. This cable, which ordinarily is used also to support the weight of I the gun, is not only quite expensive, but consti- 1 tutes a source of various difficulties. Because of the conditions of its use, it is subject to comparatively rapid wear and deterioration and must be replaced from time to time. It is cumbersome to handle, and adds greatly to the labor of transporting and manipulating the apparatus.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to eliminate the long electric cable from the re control system of casing perforating guns.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system for controlling the firing system of a 'J casing perforating gun by the mechanical lowering line. l

Further objects of the invention relate to the provision of an improved electrical firing system, and novel and improved mechanical means for actuating and controlling the ring system.

In accordance with the present invention, a

casing perforating gun is provided in which al1 electrical parts of the apparatus are located at or immediately above the gun proper, and means are provided whereby the plurality of projectiles carried by theJ gun may be red successively by a selective operation of the lowering line, preferably and here illustrated as a' lowering cable. In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus is equipped with anchoring means operable by the lowering element; and when that anchor has been set then the firing system, associated with the apparatus, is actuated by movement of the lowering means relative to the anchored apparatus. In a broad view of the invention, such relative movement may be either rotational or vertical. In a particular and present preferred form of thev invention, the apparatus is equipped with anchoring means adapted, when the apparatus has been lowered in the casing, to be expanded into engagement with the casing wall in a manner to support the apparatus against subsequent lowering. The anchoring meansis controlled by the lowering line, being set in expanded position by virtue of a predeter- (Cl. 16d-0.5)

mined elevation of said line. The apparatus being thus supported in the casing, the projectiles are then successively fired by selective manipulation of the lowering line. It may here be stated, however, that while the present preferred and illustrative form of the invention includes an anchoring device of the type indicated, the invention in its broader aspects is not necessarily limited thereto, and certain of my broader claims therefore do not include mention of wall anchoring means. l

In the preferred and illustrative form of perforating gun in accordance with the present invention, a jar is incorporated in the apparatus and is operatively associated with the fire control means. This jar is operative to aid in lowering the apparatus in the casing, but thereafter functions as a part of the re control system. In the present illustrative embodiment of the invention, the vertically travelling hammer of the jar controls or actuates the ring system by virtue of its relative vertical movement with relation to the body of the gun, such vertical movement of the hammer being accomplished by manipulation of the lowering line. A feature of the 25 invention is the provision of means whereby the ring system is made capable of receiving a predetermined number of strokes of the jar before beginning to iire the projectiles, thus providing for a predetermined number of down jarring 30 strokes to lower the ,apparatus in the well casing without iiring the gun. When the jar hammer has thus been lowered relatively to the body said predetermined number of times, then each subsequent lowering operation of the hammer is elective to cause one of the projectiles of the gun to be fired, so that the projectiles may then be red one at a time by simply alternately lowering and raising the lowering line. I regard the incorporation of a jar in the apparatus as an important feature of the present invention; however, in some situations or in some forms of the invention a jar as such may not be required, and the invention ls therefore not to be regarded in 45 its broader aspects, as limited to use in connection with a jar.

Various additional objects and features of the invention will be made apparent in the course of the following detailed description of a present illustrative embodiment thereof.

Reference is directed to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section end elevation showing a perforating gun provided with a ring system in accordance with the present invention lowered Within a well casing;

Fig. 2 is a section taken as indicated by line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view showing the anchoring means in section;

Fig. 3a is a view. showing a portion of the gun proper in section;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

` I illustrate in the drawings, and will now describe, one present preferred type of means capable of carrying my invention into practical effect, it being deemed that a full understanding of the nature and scope of the broad invention will be had from a consideration of the single specific embodiment which I have chosen f0.1' illustrative purposes.

With this understanding, and referring now to the drawings, I show in Fig. 1 a well casing I0, within which has been lowered a perforating gun I2, the latter being of any conventional or approved type. The re control means provided by the present invention is indicated generally by numeral I3, being, in the present instance, positioned wholly between the gun proper, indicated at I2, and the lower end of lowering line I4. It is a feature of the illustrative form of the invention that lowering line I4 may be a cable, as illustrated in Fig. 1, though it is to be understood that any other common type of lowering line such as a. string of pipe may be used if desired.

Cable I4 carries a socket I5, and connected to socket I5 by means of a suitable sub I6 is a tool 0r device I1 which preferably has vthe dual function of jar and actuating device for the ring system. For convenience, this device I1 will hereafter be referred to as a jar, though it will be understood that said device, whether or not used as a jar, constitutes a part of the actuating mechanism for the firing system. While it is within the broad scope of my invention to employ various types of jars, involving various'types of relative movement, the present illustrated ring system is designed to be operated by the vertically or longitudinally acting hammer of the jar, a simple form of which is illustrated in Fig. 1. As there shown, jar I1 comprises a rod or shank 20 connected at its upper end to sub I 6 and provided at its lower end with an enlarged, cylindrically shaped plunger head or hammer 2|.

A sleeve 24 has a bore 25 which slidably receives plunger head 2l, and has at the top a reduced counter-bore 26 which slidably embraces rod 23, sleeve 24 and the parts suspended therefrom being supported by engagement of a downwardly facing shoulder 21 formed at the junctureA of bores and 26 with upwardly-facing shoulder 28 on plunger head 2I. The lower end of sleeve 24 is internally screwthreaded to receive a screwthreaded pin 29 on the upper end of a cylindrical body 30 that houses parts of the firing system, pin 29 forming the anvil of the jar. Of course. in some situations it may be possible to lower the gun without jarring, and in such cases, or in case other jarring provisions should be employed, plunger head 2| wouldserve only as actuating means for the ring system, and would not need to be of the mass required when employed also as the hammer of a jar.

An anchoring device A, for engaging the wall oi' the casing and supporting the gun with reference thereto. is here shown as located between body 30 and the gun proper, indicated ,at I2. Thus, the lower end of body 38 is provided with a threaded box 3l, within which is screwed a pin 32 formed on the upper end of the tubular body 33 of anchoring device A. The lower end of said body 33 is connected by means of threaded pin 34 and adapter bushing 35 with the upper end of gun I2 (see Fig. 3). Sleeve 24, body member 30, anchor means body 33, and gun I2 may be regarded as the composite body of the apparatus as here illustratively described. It will be realized from what follows, however, that the gun I2 need not be rigidly a part of the same body that includes body 30, and that the anchor means may be connected to body 30 in any suitable manner and in any relative position. Broadly speaking, the functions of the whole apparatus and operation of the firing system require simply that the line operated element'be movable relative to a body, which is here the body 30. The anchor, in the broad functional aspect of the invention, needs to anchor only that body, and can be connected thereto in any manner and relative Aposition. The gun proper may be connected to that body in any suitable manner, preferably rigidly as here shown. l

Anchoring device A is designed to become expanded into engagement with the casing when the gun is lowered to position and then elevated a predetermined distance, the gun thereafter being capable of further elevation, but being anchored against lowering. Any well known or approved ytype of anchoring device designed for this purpose may be used, though I here show a preferred type particularly well adapted to the requirements of the present invention.

The anchoring device here shown comprises the aforementioned body 33, formed with a head 31, of substantially the diameter of body 30, and a downwardly extending stem 38 threaded at its lower end, as at 34, for connection with adapter bushing 35. Pivotally mounted in recesses 40 in the lower portion of head 31 are dogs 4I, which are adapted to be held in contracted position by an overlying conical surface 42 formed in the upper end of a ring 43 slidable along stem 3,8. Ring 43 is connected by means of wall-drag elements in the form oi bow springs 44 with a lower ring 45, also slidable on 38, bow springs 44 being adapted to frictionally engage or drag along the inner surface of casing I 0, as illustrated. During lowering of the gun, the assembly consisting of rings 43 and 45 and connecting bows 44 is in the upper position illustrated in Fig. 1, dogs 4I y being confined by ring 43, 'as indicated. It will be observed that when the device is in this posi'- tion, there is a substantial clearance between the lower end of ring 45 and the upper end of the aforementioned bushing at the top of gun I2, such that the assembly consisting of rings 43 and 45 and connecting bows 44 can be moved downwardly on stem 38 suiciently to release dogs 4I for their expansive movement. Friction be n tween bows 44 and casing III prevents such relative downward movement on stem 38 during lowering of the gun within casing I0. When the gun is elevated, however, the frictional engagement between bows 44 and the wall of the casing holds rings 43 and 45 back until lower ring 45 is engaged by bushing 35, dogs 4I thus becoming elevated above upper ring 43, and expanding into engagement with the casing by means of springs 5D coiled about their pivots and acting between the dogs and stem 38 (see Fig. 3).

Dogs 8| being thus released and urged into engagement with the Walls of casing l0, the ap'- paratus is anchored against further lowering, though remaining free for subsequent elevation.

Gun 2 is provided with a plurality of electrically controlled projectile-expelling means, FigV l. showing the gun to be provided withv a plurality of muzzles t opening through its sides, and spaced longitudinally ofv and circumferentially about the gun. Fig. 3a shows a typical construction, projectile bore 55 being formed in a muzzle block 58 screwed within a bore 5l sunk in the side of the gun body, and a reduced bore 58 extending inwardly beyond bore 5l providing a firing chamber. A projectile 80 positioned in bore 55 is fastened, as by spot-welding or any other suitable means, to a frangible packing disc 8| confined between block 55 and shoulder 62 formed at the juncture of bores 5l and 58. A gas ring 08 of a conventional type is shown as placed around the rearward end of the projectile.

Extending inwardly from i'lring chamber bore 58 to bore 68 extending centrally and longitudinally of gun |2 isa duct 69 for one conductor l0 of a cable 1| extending through bore 88.- This conductor l0 is connected to a firing element lf3, which is in contact with a fuse positioned within powder charge 78, fuse 'l5 being grounded at Ti on packing disc 6|, which latter is in electrical communication with the grounded composite body of the apparatus. The typical cartridge construction here described is of a conventional type, forming no part of or limitation von the present invention. It will be understood that when a current of electricity is passed through conductor l0 to ground at ll, fuse i5 is heated, setting off powder charge 76 and so producing an explosive force within chamber 58 which ruptures packing disc 0| and causes projectile 60 to be expelled with suicient force to pierce the well casing. It will of course be understood that cable 'il is made up 0f a number of conductors such as l0, each of which goes to an individual firing chamber of the gun.

A bore 80 is drilled in a downward direction in cylindrical body 30 from the upper end of said body to a point near its lower end (see Figs. 2 and 4), and working in said bore is a plunger 8|. This plunger 8| is yprovided with a reduced stem 82 which extends upwardly somewhat above the upper end of body 30, so that it may be en-I gaged and depressed by the lower end of plunger head 2| of jar Il.' The lower end of plunger 8| engages a coil compression spring 83 seated in the lower end of bore 80, and it will be understood that plunger 8| normally occupies its uppermost position, illustrated in Fig. 4, with its upwardly facing annular shoulder 8d in engagement with a bushing 85 screwthreaded in the upper end of bore 80. When plunger head 2| is lowered, it engages stem 82 and depresses plunger 0| against spring 83, the latter acting to elevate plunger 8| back to the position of Fig. 4 when jar plunger 2| is subsequently elevated. A port 86 communicating with the lower end of bore 80 and opening outsidebody 30 permits fluid below the plunger lto escape and return as the plunger is reciprocated.

Plunger 0| is provided with .a slotted recess 90, in which is disposed a pawl 9| mounted on a pivot pin 92 carried by said plunger. The rearward end portion 93 of this pawl normally engages a surface 915 of the plunger, being yieldingly held thereagainst by means of a spring member 95 mounted on the plunger within recess 90,

all in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. Pawl 9| is adapted to engage the teeth 91 of a ratchet wheel 98 mounted within a recess 99 which is sunk in one side of body 30, so as to communicate with plunger bore 80 and project into plunger slot 90 and engage. pawl 9|'. (See Figs. 2 and`4.) Ratchet wheel 98 has an integrally formed axle or stubshaft |00 which extends through bore |00a in a wall |0| intervening between recess 99 and a chamber |02. This chamber |02 comprises a bore |03 sunk in the side of body 30, directly 'opposite recess 99, the outer end of which is enlarged and internally threaded for reception of a screw threaded plug |013.

Chamber |02 encloses certain electrical distributor means, later to be described, and it is therefore essential to maintain chamber |02 clean and dry. Since ratchet wheel 98 is exposed directly to the well fluids, provisions are made for preventing such uids, which are normally under very high pressure, from working through bore |0011 to the interior of said chamber. I nd the simple bearing provisions illustrated in Fig. 2 to be adequate for this purpose. As there illustrated, ratchet wheel 98 of shaft |00 is formed with a conical portion |-0, which bears against a conical seat formed at the outer end of a bearing bushing l I2 inserted in wall l0 Bushing |2 thus serves as a combined radial and thrust bearing. Mounted on the inner end of shaft |00 is a disc H8, and disposed around shaft |00 and conned between said disc and'wall |0| is a compression spring H5, which acts to draw shaft |00 toward chamber |02, so that conical surface ||0 is maintained tightly seated on conical seating surface ill. These provisions effectively safeguard against entry of well fluid into chamber |02, while at the same time supporting shaft |00 and ratchet wheel 9B for rotation by pawl 9|.

It will thus be understood that each time plunger 8| is depressed, pawl 9| engages a tooth Sl of ratchet wheel 98 and advances said wheel ahead one tooth, spring 95 permitting pawl 9| to pvot suiliciently to ride over the next tooth of the ratchet wheel on the return or upward stroke of plunger 8l. There is sufl'icient friction in the mounting of the ratchet wheel that the position of the latter remains undisturbed as plunger 8| and pawl 9| are elevated by spring 83.

The described plunger and ratchet mechanism operates a distributer for the electric firing circuit, as now to be described. Positioned in a bore extending downwardly in body 30, preferably in vertical alinement with chamber |02, is a source of electrical energy, here in the form of a plurality of batteries |2| arranged in series in a usual manner. These batteries |2| are of a usual dry cell type, being here shown as positioned with their central electrical terminals |2|a down. The uppermost battery is grounded through a spring |22 engaging its end and seated against a vplug |23 screwthreaded in the upper end of bore |20. Plug |23 serves to keep the batteries dry. The central terminal |2 la of the lowermost cell engages an electrical contact |25 mounted in an insulation member |26 placed in the lower-end of bore |20.

Bore |03 is formed with a counter sink at |30, and mounted therein, in coaxial relation to ratchet wheel shaft |00, is an insulation distributer disc I3 This distributer disc is provided on its inner face with a conductive ring |32 having a radially projecting connection strip |33, to which is connected an electrical conductor |34 leading through a passageway to the aforementioned electrical battery contact |25. A plurality of electrical contacts |36a, |36b, etc., are mounted in circularly spaced relation on the face of disc |3|, outside conductive ring |32, and connected to these contacts are electrical conductors, |40` which are gathered together in a cable |4| extending downwardly through a bore |42 in body 30. The angular spacing interval between contacts |36a, |36b, etc., starting with first contact |36a, corresponds to the angular spacing of ratchet wheel teeth 01, but there is one less cone tact than ratchet teeth, and the aforementioned connection strip |33 occupies the space of the contact thus omitted (see Fig. 6).

Conductors |40 are severally connected to the aforementioned conductors 10 making upthe central cable'TI'in gun 2. Thus, conductors |40 are shown as connected to contact elements |44 mounted in an vinsulation disc |45 set into a counter sink |46 in the lower end of body 30, inside box 3|, and these contacts |44 are adapted to engage mating contact elements |41 mounted in an insulation disc |40 set into a counter sink |49 in the end of pin 32 of anchoring device A. Conductors |50 connected to Contact elements |41 form a cable |5| extending downwardly througha central bore |52 in body 33 of anchoring device A. Cooperating electrical connector means |54 and |55 at the lower end of anchor body .33 and the upper end of gun |2, of the same type as used between body 30 and the upper end of anchor body 33, connect` the conductors |50 making up cable l5| to conductors 10 making up the aforementioned cable 1i which extends down through the gun to the contact elements 14 in its several ring chambers, in the manner previously described. -Thus, each of distributer contacts |36a, |36b, etc., is connected to the contact element 14 in one of the ring chambers of the gun, there being one distributer contact for each firing chamber. Of course, in any case in which the anchoring device is not positioned between body 30 and the gun proper, conductors. |40 may be connected directly to conductors 10 without the intervention of the .anchoring device and its cable |5I.

Means controlled by plunger 8| and ratchet wheel 98 are provided for connecting conductive ring |32, which is'connected to the source of electrical energy, successively to contacts |36a |36b, etc., so as to supply electrical energy successively to the severa-l ring chambers of the gun. For this purpose, an insulation, brush-carrying disc is mounted for rotation coaxially with ratchet wheel shaft |00, and as here shown, is mounted on a pivot pin |6| extending through discs |3| and |60, which are supported thereby in face to face contact. The underside of disc |60 is formed with a recess |62, in which is positioned an electrical contact member or brush |63 adapted to bridge between' conductor ring |32 and any one of electrical contacts |36a, |36b, etc.; in the particular instance here shown, this contact member is formed of some suitable resilient material, and has a central bowed portion secured to disc |60, as at |64, and oppositely extending legs adapted to bear on ring |32 and any one of contacts |36a, |36b, etc., respectively, ring |32 and contacts .|36 preferably being sunk in and made flush with the surface of disc |3|, all as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Disc |60 has a rearwardly projecting pin |10, which is adapted to be engaged by a lug |1| on the previously described head ||4 mounted on the inner end of ratchet wheel shaft |00.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The device is initially set with disc |60 in position with contact member or brush |63 overlying connector strip |33. so that the battery circuit isv open, and with ratchet wheel 98 positioned with lug |1| on head ||4 carried by the ratchet wheel shaft backed up against pin I 10; in other words in the starting position of Fig. 5. From this position the ratchet wheel must be ratcheted ahead `through a full revolution in order to carry lug |1| around into engagement with pin |10 and so move pin |10 and disc |60 ahead. -The purpose of this lost motion provision will appear presently. Anchoring device A is initially set in contracted position, as illustrated in Fig. l, and the apparatus is then lowered in the casing by means of cable I4.

In' the event that the apparatus should hang up on the way down, jar |1 may be operated to drive it ahead. 'I'his is accomplished in the ordinary manner, the plunger or hammer element 2| of the jar being elevated to the position of Fig. l, and the cable then being quickly lowered, so that hammer 2| drops suddenly and strikes a blow against the upper end of pin 29 of body member 30, which thus serves as the anvil for hammer 2|. Hammer 2| in striking pin 25 in the manner described, of course also engages plunger stem 82 and therefore depresses plunger 8|, pawl 9| accordingly advancing ratchet wheel 08 'ahead one tooth each time the hammer 2| of the jar is dropped. Such depressions of plunger 8| will, however, not close the electrical ring circuit until the ratchet wheel has been ratcheted ahead through one complete revolution and lug |1| has come into engagement with pin |10 and moved disc |60 ahead one step to carry brush |63 into position across ring |32 and rst distributer contact |36a. Thus, with a ratchet wheel of eight teeth, as illustrated, eight actuations of the jar cause the ratchet wheel to be advanced through one complete revolution, and the eighth actuation moves lug |1| from the dotted line to the full line position of Fig. 5, with brush |63 moving from strip |33 to the dot-dash line position of Fig. 6, across rst distributer Contact |36a and ring |32, thereby closing an electrical circuit to one of the firing chambers. Thus it will be understood that the jar may be operated up to seven times in lowering the appa ratus through the casing without closing any electrical tiring circuit. Of coursewhile I have for simplicity illustrated a. ratchet wheel of eight teeth, this number may be varied as desired, and it will ordinarily be desirable to employ a ratchet wheel having a somewhat greater number of teeth, so as to allow for additional jarring operatitons which are ineffective to operate the distribu er.

When the apparatus has been lowered to the desired position, cable |4 is lifted until the dogs of anchoring device A are released, in the manner previously described. The anchoring device is thereafter in the position of Fig. 3, and the apparatus cannot thereafter be lowered, though it may of course be elevated at will.

The apparatus being thus positioned, the projectiles carried by the gun are successively expelled by selective operation of operating `11m; |4., In the particular form of the invention here shown, the line is alternately lowered and raised, causing jar plunger 2| to engage and depress plunger 8| on each lowering operation,

Each time plunger 6| is so depressed, pawl 9| advances ratchet wheelV 98 one step, plunger 8| returning to its upper position under the influence of spring 83 as the jar plunger is elevated.

Ratchet wheel 98 is thus rotated step by'step,

lug |1| moving around'and finally coming into the respective ring chambers. heating said fuses and thereby setting oif the powder charges to fire the projectiles. 'I'he projectiles are thus fired one at a time as distributer brush |63 is moved successively over the described distributer contacts, all of which is accomplished by simply raising and lowering suspension cable It.

It will be evident that, having fired a desired number of projectiles at one location in the casing, the entire apparatus may be elevated to a higher position, and the jar then operated as before to effect firing of further projectiles. After the anchoring means has once been expanded,the apparatus can thus always be elevated,

andthe anchoring means will support the apparatus at any such position while the jar is being operated to effect firing of the gun.

While I have now described in some detail a present preferred form of my invention, it will be understood this isy for illustrative purposes only, and that various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, or of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A casing perforator adapted to be lowered in a well casing, comprising a body, a projectile expelling means associated with said body, a member connected with and movable relative to said body, an operating line connected to said movable member extending tothe ground surface by which said movable member may be moved relative to said body, and ring control means, including a lost `motion device, actuated by such relative movement of said member after at least one preliminary relative movement thereof.

2. A casing perforator adapted to be `lowered in a well casing, comprising a body, a projectile expelling means associated with said body, firing control means carried by said body, a member connected with and movable relative to said body, an operating line connected to said movable member extending to the ground surface, and

, means operative after the gun has been lowered to position for restricting the movement of said body in said casing, said movable member being movable relative to said body by selective movement of said operating line when said body is restricted against movement in the casing, and being adapted to actuate said firing control means by such relative movement.

3. A casing perforator adapted to be.lowered in a well casing, comprising a body, a projectile expelling means associated with said body, firing control means carried by said body, a member connected with and movable relative to said body, an operating line connected to said movable member extending to the ground surface, and Wall engaging means .connected with said body operative upon predetermined withdrawal movement of said operating line, after the gun has been lowered to position, to expand into engagement with the casing wall to support said body against further lowering movement, said movable member being thereafter movable relative to said body by selective movement of said operating line, and said movable member being adapted to actuate said ring control means by such relative movement.

4. A casing perforator adapted to be lowered in a well casing, comprising -a body, a projectile expelling means associated with said body, firing control means carried by said body, a member connected with and movable vertically relative to said body, said relatively movable member and said body forming the hammer and anvil, respectively, of a jar, an operating line connected to s aid hammer and extending to the ground surface, wall engaging means connected with said anvil operative upon predetermined vertical movement of said line to expand into supporting engagement with the casing wall, said hammer being adapted to be moved vertically with relation to said body subsequent to expansion of said wall engaging means by virtue of selective movement of said line, and firing control means adapted to be actuated by such relative vertical movement of said hammer.

5. A casing perforator adapted to be lowered in a well casing,'comprising 'a body, a projectile expelling means associated with said body,'ring control means carried by said'body, a member connected with and movable vertically relative to said body, said relatively movable member and said body forming the hammer and anvil, respectively, of a jar, an operating line connected to said hammer and extending to the ground surface, wall engaging means connected with said anvil operative upon predetermined vertical movement of said line to expand into supporting engagement with the casing wall, said hammer being adapted to be moved vertically with relation to said body subsequent to expansion of said wall engaging means by virtue of selective movement of said line, and firing control means, including a lost motion device, adapted to be actuated by such relative vertical movement of said hammer after at least one preliminary relative movement thereof.

6. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing onl an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of elec'- trical energy carried by said body, a distributer on said body operable to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said conductors, a member connected with said body and movable with relation thereto, said member having connection with said operating line, and being movable relative to said body by means of said operating line, and means actuated by movements of said member relative to said body for operating said distributer.

'7. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical .conductor for controlling each of said means, a source kof electrical energy carried by said body, a distributer on said body operable to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said conductors, a member connected with said body and movable vertically, with relation thereto, said member having connection with said operating line, and being movable relative to said body by means of said operating line,` and means actuated by successive vertical movements of said member relative to said body for operating said distributer to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors.

8. A casing perfprating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a distributer on said body operable step by step to connectl said source of electrical energy successively to said conductors, means on said body operative by virtue of a predetermined withdrawal movement of said body to expand into engagement with the casing wall in a manner to support said body against subsequent lowering movement, a member connected with said body and limitedly movable vertically with relation thereto, said member having connection with said operating line and being vertically movable thereby relative to said body when said body is supported in the casing by said wall engaging means, and means adapted to be actuated by successive vertical movements of said member by said operating line for operating said distributer step by step.

9. A- casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source' of electrical energy carried by said body, a distributer on said body operable step by step to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said conductors, means onsaid body operative by virtue of a predetermined withdrawal movement of said body to expand into engagement with the casing Wall in a manner to support said body against subsequent lowering movement, a member connected with said body andlimitedly movable vertically with relation thereto, said member having connection with said operating line and being vertically movable thereby relative to said body when said body is supported in the casing by said wall engaging means, and means engageable by said member as it is lowered relative to said body by said operating line, and adapted upon successive such engagements to operate said distributer step by step.

10. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means'associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a-rnember connected with said body and limitedly movable vertically with relation thereto, said member having operative connection with said operating line, means on said body controllable by said line to expand into body supporting engagement with the casing wall, and means 'subsequently controllable by vertical movement of said member by said operating line for connecting said member having connection with said operating line, means on said body operative by predetermined withdrawal movement of said operating line to expand into body supporting engagement with the casing wall, and means on said body 'controllable by vertical reciprocation of said jar member relative to said body for connecting said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors.

12. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a jar member associated with said body for limited vertical movement with relation thereto and adapted to deliver a blow on said body, said jar member having connection with said operating line, means onsaid body operative by predetermined withdrawal movement of said operating line to expand into gun-supporting engagement with the casing wall, and means including a lost motion device on said body actuated by repeated vertical movements of said jar member relative to said body, after a predetermined number of jarring strokes of said jar member, for connecting said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors.

13. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a jar member associated with said body for limited vertical movement with relation thereto and adapted to deliver a downward blow on said body, said jar member having connection with said operating line, means on said body operative by predetermined movement of said operating line to expand into body supporting engagement with the casing wall, means on said body advanced step by step by said jar member as said jar member is vertically reciprocated relative to said body. and means operable by said last mentioned means after a predetermined number of advances by said jar member for connecting said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors.

14. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically ,controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conducpredetermined withdrawal movement of said operating line to expand into body supporting engagement with the casing wall, a pawl supported by said body adapted to be advanced by vertical strokes of said movable member, a ratchet member on said body operated by said pawl, and a distributer operated by said ratchet member to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors.

15. A casing perforating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means' associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a jar member associated with said body for limited vertical movement with relation thereto and adapted to deliver a downward blow on said body, said jar member having connection with said operating line, means on said body operative by predetermined withdrawal movement of saidoperating line to expand into body supporting' engagement with the casing wall, pawl supported by said body a'dapted to be advanced by vertical strokes of said jarV member, a ratchet on said body operated by said pawl, a distributer adapted to connect said source of electrical energy successively to said electrical conductors, and a lost motion driving device between said ratchet and distributer adapted to operate said distributer after a' predetermined number of advancements of said ratchet by said pawl.

16. A casing lperiorating gun adapted to be lowered in a well casing on an operating line, comprising a body, a plurality of electrically controlled projectile expelling means associated with said body, an individual electrical conductor for controlling each of said means, a source of electrical energy carried by said body, a jar member associated with said body vfor limited vertical movement with relation thereto and adapted to deliver a downward blow on said body, said jar member having connection with said operating line, means on said body operative by predetermined withdrawal movement of said operating line to expand into body supporting en-' brush carrier member electrically connected tol said source of electrical energy, and a relatively stationary distributer member on said body having a plurality of contacts connected to said conductors and adapted to be successively contacted by said brush on said rotatable brush carrier member as the latter is advanced by said ratchet wheel.

17. In a device of the character described, a cylindrical body threaded at both ends, a plunger bore extending downwardly from the upper .end of said body, a plunger mounted in said bore, a spring in the lower end of said bore normally supporting saidplunger in an. elevated position, a recess sunk in a side of said body opening within said plunger bore, a chamber in said body positioned opposite said recess and separated therefrom by a dividing wall, a ratchet wheel disposed in said recess, a pawl on said plunger adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, a shaft for said ratchet wheel extending through said dividing wall, fluid tight thrust and radial bearing means for said shaft mounted in said wall, a spring surrounding said shaft inside said chamber for drawing said shaft'tightly against said bearing means, a battery within said body, and battery current distributer means in said chamber operated by said ratchet wheel shaft.

FORD I. ER. 

